Consul General Elmer Cato faces Senate investigation on alleged illegal recruitment in Milan
By Cristina DC Pastor
Consul General in Milan Elmer Cato appeared before the Senate Migrant Workers Committee investigating illegal recruitment and his alleged “close ties” with the reported scam recruiting firm Alpha Assistenza SRL.
Cato was previously head of the Philippine Consulate in New York.
It was revealed during the hearing led by committee Chairman Senator Raffy Tulfo that:
-Cato was admonished by higherups and told to “dissociate” from the “patronatos” who are seen as “fixers” preying on foreigners seeking employment in Italy. Cato said not all “patronatos” are fixers, some are actually helpful. Alpha Assistenza, co-owned by Filipino CEOs Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro, was considered a “patronato.”
-Cato filed cyber libel cases against Daily Tribune newspaper and defamation against three victims of bogus recruitment for alleging in an article that he did not do anything on their complaint because of his so-called closeness to Alpha Assistenza.
One of the women victims who began to cry during the committee hearing, said the lawsuit filed by Cato has prevented her from finding another overseas job. “I was just dreaming of a better life for my family,” she said through tears.
This prompted a rebuke from Tulfo who told Cato, “She was a victim, and yet you filed a case against them? What is wrong with you, sir?”
In his defense, Cato said he filed cyber libel charges against the Daily Tribune and three people interviewed for accusing him of not doing anything about their complaints. He described the actions he did as head of the consulate, including reporting the actions of “patronatos” to Italian authorities. He maintained the consulate was “not sleeping on the job and that the actions we took since the first complaint was brought to our attention five months ago have resulted in the filing of 94 cases of aggravated fraud against those involved.”
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo de Vega said he urged Cato to “disassociate himself from the ‘patronatos’” in view of mounting workers’ complaints.
When asked by Senator Risa Hontiveros what kind of relationship he had with Alpha Assistenza, Cato said the company was among those that responded when the consulate organized businesses and travel agencies into one community organization in Milan.
It was learned during the committee hearing that Alpha Assistenza’s Respicio and Dutaro have fled to Saudi Arabia since December 2023. It is not known if that is their final destination or if they are on their way to another country. The committee also learned the Philippines has no extradition treaty with Riyadh.
Alpha Assistenza has been accused of selling fake work visas to Italy and collecting large amounts of money. At least 68 people have fallen victims, according to GMA News. Alpha Assistenza has denied the allegations.
Committee member Hontiveros, who initiated the investigation, was among the lawmakers questioning Cato, the victims, and government agencies such as the DFA, DMW, DOJ and NBI. She asked Cato if he could withdraw the defamation lawsuit against the woman. He said he was willing to consider dropping the case if the woman would issue a statement denying her accusations.
Tulfo said Cato could proceed with his case if he continued to believe in its merits. But he warned he would provide the victims a lawyer who would represent them in court against Cato’s charges.
© The FilAm 2024
